The Premier League 2024/25

[Sausage Roll]

Plus Nuno had a pre-season with the team this year which he didn't have the luxury of last season. I imagine that helped a massive amount.

[JohnG]

Some of the performances towards the back end of last season, were better than the results we got. I felt against Man City at we had the better of it, as we did with Chelsea. But conceded poor goals and wasn't quite clinical enough.

I've wrongly used the word underperformed, as there was a lot going on with all you mention there, plus our problems from set pieces. I think Nuno having a pre season is a BIG factor on sorting a lot of things out.

[wassy04]

Some of the performances towards the back end of last season, were better than the results we got. I felt against Man City at we had the better of it, as we did with Chelsea. But conceded poor goals and wasn't quite clinical enough.

I've wrongly used the word underperformed, as there was a lot going on with all you mention there, plus our problems from set pieces. I think Nuno having a pre season is a BIG factor on sorting a lot of things out.

I'd forgotten about the set piece issues, shows how far we've come. Who'd have thought just putting a massive bloke in there would resolve it!

There are also some players having career years fairly unexpectedly which has really helped! Sels and Wood in particular, largely from nowhere. In fact both were barely in the team at the start of the year, Neco Williams too, literally wasn't in the team.

[stirred]

I made the argument in pre-season that 3 factors could see us jump up the table 1) we had a points deduction last season 2) we had an effective and larger points deduction from referee/var decisions and 3) we had a massive set-piece issue which would surely be addressed.

But people just smirked as soon as you mentioned 2) because they just think you’re being a biased fan and everyone thinks refs are against them.

[Paplane]

I made the argument in pre-season that 3 factors could see us jump up the table 1) we had a points deduction last season 2) we had an effective and larger points deduction from referee/var decisions and 3) we had a massive set-piece issue which would surely be addressed.

But people just smirked as soon as you mentioned 2) because they just think you’re being a biased fan and everyone thinks refs are against them.

What do we reckon? 9 points lost last season to ref/var issues. IIRC that would be an conservative estimate. Then another 4 for the points deduction. I'd also factor in a small loss of points due to the players feeling the pressure of fighting relegation (due to the above) and the lack of a easy cruise in. eg like losing the late equaliser at Luton. So another 2 or 3 points gone. Total points lost to circumstances, say 15. 

Apply that to last years table and we're at 47 points, and finishing comfortably in mid table at 12th or 13th. 

It's still doesn't explain the massive uplift in this season's performance, but it does account for some of it.

[wassy04]

I made the argument in pre-season that 3 factors could see us jump up the table 1) we had a points deduction last season 2) we had an effective and larger points deduction from referee/var decisions and 3) we had a massive set-piece issue which would surely be addressed.

But people just smirked as soon as you mentioned 2) because they just think you’re being a biased fan and everyone thinks refs are against them.

What do we reckon? 9 points lost last season to ref/var issues. IIRC that would be an conservative estimate. Then another 4 for the points deduction. I'd also factor in a small loss of points due to the players feeling the pressure of fighting relegation (due to the above) and the lack of a easy cruise in. eg like losing the late equaliser at Luton. So another 2 or 3 points gone. Total points lost to circumstances, say 15. 

Apply that to last years table and we're at 47 points, and finishing comfortably in mid table at 12th or 13th. 

It's still doesn't explain the massive uplift in this season's performance, but it does account for some of it.

No true but if you imagine that as the base then it is easier to see how we improved to where we are.

Up until recently very few injuries comparatively, a couple of new signings that have made a big impact and 2-3 players having career years out of nowhere. Plus, a few others just continuing to improve eg Murillo and Elanga (recently).

[Salvatore Matrecano]

4 points no deduction this time
4 points fewer crap ref decisions
4 points settled squad, no summer upheaval with some improvements
4 points settled manager and a preseason to work with them
4 points got better at defending set pieces
4 points better injury record
4 points plain better luck eg Toffs clearance off the line, last season nothing ever went for us.

Thats 28 points andded to last years 32 equals the 60 points we currently have.
You could argue the case for any of the above contributing more than 4 points.

[Username]

I think we’ve had three goal line clearances that have been vital. Toff on Monday, Aina against Southampton and Murillo against Man Utd

[Plymouth red]

4 points no deduction this time
4 points fewer crap ref decisions
4 points settled squad, no summer upheaval with some improvements
4 points settled manager and a preseason to work with them
4 points got better at defending set pieces
4 points better injury record
4 points plain better luck eg Toffs clearance off the line, last season nothing ever went for us.

Thats 28 points andded to last years 32 equals the 60 points we currently have.
You could argue the case for any of the above contributing more than 4 points.

I think our defending of set pieces has probably got us a lot more than 4. As has having fewer injuries.

[The reds]

Arsenal were very sloppy tonight. Probably thinking of PSG. But they aren’t 100% confirmed in Champions League yet. Need 2 Wins from Bournemouth Home, Liverpool away, Newcastle Home, Southampton away.

[Sausage Roll]

Arsenal were very sloppy tonight. Probably thinking of PSG. But they aren’t 100% confirmed in Champions League yet. Need 2 Wins from Bournemouth Home, Liverpool away, Newcastle Home, Southampton away.

Them beating Newcastle would be nice.

[Username]

4 points no deduction this time
4 points fewer crap ref decisions
4 points settled squad, no summer upheaval with some improvements
4 points settled manager and a preseason to work with them
4 points got better at defending set pieces
4 points better injury record
4 points plain better luck eg Toffs clearance off the line, last season nothing ever went for us.

Thats 28 points andded to last years 32 equals the 60 points we currently have.
You could argue the case for any of the above contributing more than 4 points.

So if you apply this logic does that mean that if we finish outside a Champions League spot and don’t win the FA Cup that this season can be deemed a failure?